Host an Event
Event Formats
Employer events are a great way for your organization to connect with Northwestern students. Popular formats include:
- Coffee Chats
- Corporate Presentations (Information Sessions)
- Educational Workshops
- Industry Panels
- Lunch & Learns
- Networking Nights
- Webinars
Please reach out to your Employer Recruiting Strategist to figure out which option would work best for your organization.
Room Rental Rates and Event Timing
- Employer events are typically 1-1.5 hours long. Student feedback has taught us that students prefer a shorter presentation with ample time for networking. Students also find interactive workshops or educational events/panels to be engaging.
- Employer events are typically held Mondays-Thursdays from 5:00-6:30 PM or 7:30-9:00 PM. For daytime events, we recommend that events be held Monday-Friday after 10:00 AM.
- Set-up and clean-up time does not need to be factored into an event request in Handshake; please list the specific event start time.
- Companies can arrive 30 minutes before the event start time. You must exit the space at your scheduled end time to accommodate the next event.
Submitting an Event Request
You can submit a request for an employer event in NCA’s career platform, Handshake.
Coffee Chats
Employers use coffee chats to connect informally with students. Coffee chats can be held virtually or in-person to meet students one-on-one or in small groups. You may use coffee chats to share more about your organization, hiring initiatives, or simply build relationships with potential candidates.
Format options:
- You can host open “office hours” where students can stop by your given location to meet a representative at any time for any length of time.
- You can have students sign up for a specific timeslot using a scheduling tool such as a Google Doc, SignUp Genius, or Doodle poll. Be sure to include a link to access the scheduling tool in your event description in Handshake.
Locations:
Please note that space in these locations is available on a first come, first served basis. We recommend arriving well in advance of your coffee chats to secure a space.
On-campus:
- Norbucks (Starbucks at Norris University Center, ground level) – 1999 Campus Dr. (Outside food is not allowed in this space, please purchase coffee/snacks at Norbucks).
Off-campus:
- Coffee Lab – 910 Noyes St. (North End of Campus)
- Peet’s Coffee - 1622 Chicago Ave.
- Starbucks – 1734 Sherman Ave.
- Cupitol – 812 Grove St.
- Colectivo Coffee – 716 Church St.
- Philz Coffee – 1030 Davis St.
- Newport Coffee House – 622 Davis St.
Promotion & Logistics:
- You can promote your coffee chats by requesting an Event in Handshake. Here is a helpful article with step-by-step instructions.
- It is the responsibility of the employer to select the format and location of your coffee chats. Please include the format and location in your event description when submitting a request in Handshake. The above locations are recommendations; however, you are welcome to host the chats at additional locations.
Marketing Your Event
Organizations must schedule their information sessions in Handshake at least two weeks prior to the event or RSVP date to receive marketing for their events.* While we cannot send dedicated promotional emails to students on behalf of an employer due to the high volume of marketing material we receive, NCA will include a list of upcoming employer information sessions/recruiting events in our weekly emails to undergraduate and/or graduate students, as well as in industry emails to students who have selected specific career interests in Handshake.
*Please note that organizations will be listed along with other recruiting events that occur during the same day/week.
NCA Employer Events Are Business Casual
In an effort to be more inclusive and to broaden your talent pool, all on-campus employer events are business casual for students. We encourage you and your organization’s representatives to also dress in business casual to make students feel more welcome and comfortable.
Your Employer Recruiting Strategist can also work with you on an engagement and communication strategy. Find more information about building your brand at Northwestern.